Voting underway in Mongolia presidential polls

In this Monday, June 24, 2013 photo, opposition Mongolian People's Party lawmaker Baterdene Badmaanyambuu, a former wrestling champion who has portrayed himself as a clean politician committed to upholding national unity and fighting the environmental degradation brought by the mining industry, waves at his supporters during his campaign rally in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, for Wednesday's presidential elections. Baterdene is the main rival to corruption-busting incumbent Elbegdorj Tsakhia, of the rul
— AP

In this Monday, June 24, 2013 photo, opposition Mongolian People's Party lawmaker Baterdene Badmaanyambuu, a former wrestling champion who has portrayed himself as a clean politician committed to upholding national unity and fighting the environmental degradation brought by the mining industry, waves at his supporters during his campaign rally in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, for Wednesday's presidential elections. Baterdene is the main rival to corruption-busting incumbent Elbegdorj Tsakhia, of the rul
/ AP

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia 
Mongolians are casting ballots in the country's presidential election. The anti-graft incumbent is expected to hold off challenges from a popular ex-wrestler and a physician who is the country's first woman to seek the top office.

Voting was taking place Wednesday in the landlocked, Alaska-sized nation of 3 million people wedged between China and Russia. Mongolia's economy has taken off in recent years on the back of a mining boom.

How best to spend that wealth is among the questions debated by the candidates. Two of them pledge to review contracts with foreign mining companies they say shortchange the Mongolian people.

Harvard-educated incumbent Elbegdorj Tsakhia held a strong lead in pre-election polling.

Vodka sales were banned in the capital of Ulan Bator to head off possible election violence.